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HomeMy Public PortalAboutAffordable Housing Trust -- 2024-02-01 Minutes Brewster Affordable Housing Trust February 1,2024,S:OOpm Housing Trust Members Present in Person: Paul Ruchinskas, Donna Kalinick,Vanessa Greene, Tony Freitas,Chair Tim Hackert Arrived late: Ned Chatelain joined at 5:06pm Remote Presence: None Absent: Maggie Spade-Aguilar Others Present:Jill Scalise- Housing Coordinator, Heidi Archibald (remotely)- Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) 1. Call to Order, Declaration of Quorum, Meeting Participation and Recording Statement: Chair Tim Hackert called the meeting to order at 5:02pm, read the required notice and declared a quorum. 2. Citizen's Forum: None 3. Brewster Rental Assistance Program discussion and potential vote on program revisions. Heidi Archibald, Housing Assistance Corporation(HAC): Jill Scalise introduced Heidi Archibald from HAC who oversees the Brewster Rental Assistance Program (BRAP).This discussion is a result of HAC's previous request to increase the limit of households served by BRAP,which was brought to the last Brewster Affordable Housing Trust(BAHT) meeting and lead to questions from BAHT. Heidi Archibald thanked BAHT for the continued support of the BRAP,which is already seeing positive, long-term results.At least 34 households have been helped with rental assistance and access to other assistance,case-management, connection to other social services, and some have received Section 8 vouchers.The program is currently at capacity and is turning away applicants without the ability to maintain a waitlist. HAC has requested an increased limit to the program to serve a greater population. Heidi Archibald spoke to the questions that arose from the last BAHT meeting by discussing current eligibility protocol which,for income,is supported by third-party documentation. Under current program guidelines, assets are not used in determining eligibility,and applicants with guarantors are disqualified from the BRAP, although there is no formal policy in place.When asked how other assistance programs calculate assets, Heidi Archibald compared the BRAP to RAFT which does not have asset questions and does not apply assets to eligibility. ALL Scalise added the following figures to follow-up on questions from last month's meeting:Serenity Brewster comprises 17% of all year-round rental units in Brewster and 22%of Brewster's rental units without a known project-based subsidy attached.The BRAP currently subsidizes 10 participants at Serenity. Donna Kalinick voiced support for increasing the maximum number of households for the BRAP to 20, raised concerns with applying asset regulations, and asserted support for not changing or formalizing the policy on guarantors, seeing as it has not been an issue.There is an understanding that HAC will follow best practices and communicate with the Housing Coordinator when unique situations arise that require clarification or approval.Jill Scalise spoke to the recertification process for the BRAP which is performed yearly. Donna Kalinick moved to increase the BRAP to 20 possible participants and Ned Chatelain seconded followed by unanimous approval. Ned Chatelain put forth a motion to not consider assets when determining eligibility for the BRAP.The motion received a second from Donna Kalinick followed by unanimous approval.The final issue before BAHT was that of potentially formalizing a policy regarding ineligibility for applicants with guarantors to the BRAP. Ned Chatelain moved to formalize the policy receiving a second from Paul Ruchinskas followed by unanimous approval.Jill Scalise thanked the Council on Aging and HAC and Heidi Archibald for their attendance at the Serenity Info Session and for the generous help with resources for the event. 4. Spring Rock Village update: In January,the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)found the notice of project change insubstantial, allowing plans to move forward.Secondly, POAH and HAC have been invited by EOHLC into a winter funding round.Jill Scalise explained the Housing Cost Comparison in the packet which was completed by Irene Hamman for the Home Consortium highlights the increase in construction costs for 2 recent affordable developments that the Home Consortium has funded. Donna Kalinick shared that HAC and POAH's applications for Community Preservation Committee(CPC)funding in Eastham and Chatham were both approved for$100,000, provided both pass at their Town Meetings.Jill Scalise added that Orleans Housing Trust is in the process of compiling a chart,which will be shared when completed, of funds provided for regional CPC projects by different lower Cape towns;there will also be an opportunity for CPCs from more towns to respond to funding requests. 5. 212 Yankee Drive update,discussion,and potential votes on Payment in Lieu of Taxes(PILOT)and sale of property: Donna Kalinick thanked the Cape Cod Times and Zane Razzaq for the article about Yankee Drive and thanked Pearl Construction for their commitment to completing an esthetic repair to the house.There was a change order issued for the repair, but there was no cost incurred. Donna Kalinick also discussed the Homeowners Association (HOA)fees for 212 Yankee Drive which currently total$625 for the time they have not been paid and would be paid from the sale proceeds.A legal bill was also added to the total cost, and those fees will continue to be updated.An estimated $2,200 will be due for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes(PILOT), but that amount is not finalized until closing. Donna Kalinick and Jill Scalise thanked Deputy Assessor Jim Gallagher for his research and clarifying the PILOT is the result of Massachusetts law requiring a payment in the amount of the taxes that would be paid for the current year and the next FY.Shirin Everett, legal counsel,was contacted to give an opinion about how to handle this. BAHT could pay the PILOT out of the proceeds from the sale of the house but is not required. Jill Scalise also explained that because the home is owned by the Town there cannot be taxes on it-the assessment is made in January the year before the FY.The PILOT needs to be paid at closing.Typically taxes are taken every month, but in this case,for the first year there won't be taxes paid until FY26. Jill Scalise also advised of another option, shared by legal counsel,which includes a secondary mortgage for the PILOT taken out by the homebuyer at the time of the sale which would pay the PILOT back to the BAHT over time. Donna Kalinick added that the legal cost to the Town to use that option would outweigh the cost of the PILOT and voiced that she is in favor of paying the PILOT instead of burdening the homebuyer with the extra up-front cost. Donna Kalinick clarified that there are back taxes on the house which will be paid from the sale and that the issue with the PILOT arises at point of sale and has to do with the timing of the sale in the assessing year.Jill Scalise clarified that the Pilot is from the date of sale through the end of FY25. BAHT members discussed all options for paying the PILOT and that ultimately the BAHT would receive about$2,200 less from the sale of the home than they expected if they agreed to pay the PILOT. Donna Kalinick moved that the PILOT be paid from the proceeds of the home, second by Tony Freitas.A vote was taken and unanimously approved. Donna Kalinick next discussed the issue of the BAHT bylaw that says BAHT cannot sell or buy property valued over$50,000. Legal Counsel has advised that the Select Board will need to be asked to authorize BAHT to sign documents and proceed with the sale. Donna Kalinick read the following motion:"I move pursuant to the provisions of Section 18-15C of Chapter 18 of the Town's general bylaws to request the Brewster Select Board to authorize BAHT to convey and sell the property located at 212 Yankee Drive having a value in excess of$50,000 to income-eligible household subject to an affordable housing deed restriction."Ned Chatelain-second. Paul Ruchinskas asked if this will specify who from BAHT will sign on behalf of BAHT and Donna Kalinick clarified that there will be another vote on that matter at a later date and after the Select Board takes their vote.The Purchase and Sale agreement will need to be signed by a majority of BAHT.A vote was taken on the motion and unanimously approved. 6. Housing Coordinator update: Along with ongoing orientation of the new Housing Program Assistant,Jill Scalise and Marissa Consolantis completed Serenity's Compliance Certification. The Select Board certified that compliance which was then sent to Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities(EOHLC).The Select Board held a public hearing on January 22nd for the FY24 application to continue the regional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).As FY21 is closing out,the CDBG program is being well-used with 13 children currently in childcare and 12 current housing rehabilitation applications in progress.Jill Scalise updated the BAHT on the Housing Office's January community engagements which included an info session at First Parish Church, a Housing 101 for Town staff,and a Resource Fair at Serenity Brewster with the Council on Aging(COA)and HAC also presenting. Jill Scalise updated BAHT on the draft Regional Housing Strategy being completed by the Cape Cod Commission for which Brewster provided feedback.The final draft is expected next month,and a link will be sent once it is ready. On February 13 at 10am,there will be a Local Preference session held by Lower Cape Housing Institute. 7. Cape Cod Sea Camps update: Chair Tim Hackert shared the outcome of a joint meeting by the Bay Committee, Pond Committee,and Select Board which is a recommendation that housing on the pond property be part of the proposal going to the next Public Forum. Ned Chatelain shared that the Bay Committee approved future municipal uses on part of their parcel,that potentially includes housing, and that the final Public Forum will be on February 15th Donna Kalinick shared that the fourth Public Forum will be held virtually and will include a presentation of the final plans going to Town Meeting as well as information related to questions from the third Public Forum followed by a Q&A session.The other result of the vote from the joint meeting is the decision to move forward with a community center. Donna Kalinick discussed that the length of proposed phasing scenarios for the Bay property could extend longer than 10 years and how this is a significant factor in decisions made regarding potential housing,and there are selected buildings that have been identified for reuse as potential housing which would not be deed restricted and would not be on the Subsidized Housing Inventory(SHI). BAHT discussed logistical barriers to adding housing to the Bay Property including seasonality of the property's current use, along with infrastructure needed for other aspects of the property, and other current projects underway making impractical the beginning of another full-scale housing project. Donna Kalinick also noted that the final vote for the Pond Property included a wastewater treatment plant for not just for potential new housing but also for surrounding existing housing. 8. Annual Town Report for Brewster Affordable Housing Trust(BAHT)and possible vote: Chair Tim Hackert thanked Maggie Spade-Aguiltar for preparing the Annual Town Report and noted that he provided technical edits. Paul Ruchinskas noted some corrections to add to the report and asked for additional figures to be added regarding Brewster residents'utilization of the CDBG. Edits were given to Jill Scalise to finalize. Ned Chatelain moved to approve the Annual Report with a second by Vanessa Greene.The motion was unanimously approved. 9. For Your Information: Chair Tim Hackert shared that the Brewster Conservation Trust(BCT) is purchasing an 8.5-acre parcel of land and the closing should be in June.There is potential for housing discussions at a later date in regard to the purchase. Donna Kalinick shared that the Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for May 11 at 1 pm, and that the Select Board voted to bring to Town Meeting a Town-offered preschool stipend program that would be available to any Brewster resident regardless of income to be implemented this Fall school year if it passes at Town Meeting. 10. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair: Vanessa Greene brought back up eligibility regarding the BRAP and asked for it to be added to the next agenda. 11. Approval of Minutes from January 4,2024: Chair Tim Hackert thanked Marissa Consolantis for submitting the minutes and added scrivener's comments. Paul Ruchinskas moved to approve with comments, second by Vanessa.The motion was unanimously approved. 12. Next Scheduled Meeting:March 7,2024 13. Adjournment Ned Chatelain moved to adjourn, second by Tony Freitas.The motion was unanimously approved.Adjourned at 6:39pm. Respectfully Submitted, Marissa Consolantis- Housing Program Assistant 02.01.2024 BAHT Meeting Packet.pdf